Chapter 2

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Chapter - 1

The Perspective

The earth had just been bathed under the first spell of rain. The petrichor from the wet soil enticed the senses and filled the ambience with a calmness that was surreal. A perfect picturesque wiped clean, with remnants of dew drops was refreshing to the eyes of the beholder. Amidst this walked a man who felt the gloominess outside reflected within him. For him the rain drops where the unshed tears that he had held back all these years. The smell rendered senseless under the curse of the odorless tears. The nothingness in his eyes in contrast with the sprouting life in his vision…..such is the irony of life!

As he walked aimlessly near the riverbank, lost in his train of thoughts, he missed on a football that came his way, and he tripped. But he was caught in time from falling on the ground. He looked up to see who his savior was and found a young girl, probably in her late teens or early twenties looking down at him, concerned. She helped him sit nearby and inquired if he was fine, ensuring that he was not hurt. By then some kids had also gathered around him and apologized for passing the ball his way. But he sent them away to continue their play, stating that it was his fault as he didn’t see the ball coming. But sensing the wariness in this old man’s eyes, the girl sat down next to him. She introduced herself as Sai Joshi, a 3rd year medical student and the only daughter of a Police Inspector Kamal Joshi. And he revealed his name “Nagesh Chavan”! And thus began a conversation, between nothing and everything that was left incomplete that day with a promise to continue the next day. But little did they know that this was only the beginning of an unusual friendship, a special bond that had just begun and was meant to go beyond this one evening and more. He started visiting the place daily on the pretext of evening walk and spend time with Sai and the kids. This became a daily routine mostly, when Sai could manage to carve out time from shuttling between college and her studies and her “Aaba”. The bond was extended to the kids from a nearby orphanage who were close to Sai and the reason she used to come there regularly. Together they had become an extended family to Nagesh, a family who gave the warmth, love, and acknowledgment and more that he craved and was deprived off by his own family. A man who was still recovering from a cardiac arrest, who had lost the zest for life, would become alive here. He would sit there observing them, chatting up, buying them gifts and food, and sometimes even playing with them. He started to eagerly look forward to his evening with them. Sai had become his confidante in many ways. She had slowly walked into his life and became privy to his entire life history, baring the fact of who he really was. He wanted to maintain a certain anonymity initially, and later he was apprehensive since she was a daughter of Kamal Joshi. She never insisted and he never revealed that he was Retd. Commissioner of Police, Nagesh Chavan. 

Sai on the other hand became very fond of Nagesh too. Her life had always revolved around her Aaba, but here she had found family in Nagesh, his sullen face and sad eyes had pulled her to him, and she had felt the urge to help him in whatever way possible. She had felt a familiarity in his face, like she had seen him somewhere, but she had been unable to place him in her memory. She would share her college stories, her studies, her dream of becoming a doctor and he was an attentive listener and she returned the favour while he relayed his story.

Nagesh Chavan was the patriarch of the Chavan family, a rich and respected name in the society with a reputed lineage. Despite the wealth that had been bestowed upon them by ancestors with a successfully established family business, it was an unspoken rule that the men in the family chose Police or defense as their line of profession to serve the country over generations. It was always left to the youngest son to venture into the family business. And true to the tradition Nagesh had followed the footsteps of his ancestors and chosen Police services as his profession. His younger brother Ninad had joined the army and had only retired around 2 years back. It was his youngest brother Omkar who took over the family business, but he was a mere face whereas it was Nagesh’s wife Bhavani who held the reins. His marriage with Bhavani was arranged by his parents and was touted as the perfect match and coming together of two most respected families. He had admired her grit and discipline; she was a strong woman, and he was confident that she would be able to bind the family together. Through the years he served the country, Bhavani had been his pillar of strength, looking after his family in his absence. But the gradual change in her demeanor was either not noticed or ignored by Nagesh having given her a free rein as he trusted her to take the right decisions. But it was only during the last few years, particularly post his retirement that he realized, the true self of Bhavani. Over the years he had admired Ninad and his relationship with his wife Ashwini. With Ninad moving across the country with his postings and Ashwini staying back at Chavan Niwas raising their only son, Virat, he had missed the prime of life with his wife and the childhood of his son. But the distance had not dampened their relationship. Ashwini had silently suffered at the hands of Bhavani while Ninad was away. Coming from a modest family, with a calm and accommodating character, she was stepped over by the overbearing presence of Bhavani.  And to maintain the harmony, Ashiwni had restricted herself to the kitchen, with little or no contribution in the family matters. But it was only after Ninad’s retirement, that Nagesh started seeing the crack in his relationship with Ashwini. Ninad started to support Bhavani and Omkar with the business, and the influence of Bhavani had led to the break down of their marriage. Omkar on the other hand worshipped Bhavani, as she had practically brought him up. His wife Sonali, followed suit and would always attempt at pleasing Bhavani. It was primarily due to the fact that, Bhavani held the control and Omkar and Sonali were dependent on her for their survival and the upbringing of their son, Mohit, since they had no other source of income except the business. Nagesh’s sister Mansi was a bright and intelligent girl, who on Bhavani’s insistence was married off at an early age to an army personnel, Ashok Salunke. Luckily, Salunke was open minded and progressive and encouraged her to complete her graduation and pursue IAS post marriage. However, he was martyred during a war, which brought an end to her IAS dreams. Unable to bear the constant nagging and accusations, Mansi had returned to Chavan Niwas with her son, Samrat. Samrat was only ten then, too young to understand the gravity and implications, and Mansi was still grieving the loss of her husband. She had lost her charm for life and slipped into the shadows only concentrating on bringing up her son. Even if she had any intentions of working or joining the business, Bhavani had smartly ensured that, any such plans were thwarted before it even sprouted. Shivani, the youngest of his siblings, was the only one who had dared to challenge Bhavani’s authority. She lived her life on her own terms and went on to marry the guy her choice, much against the wishes of Bhavani. As luck would have its way, Shivani’s marriage didn’t last long, and she returned to CN after a few years. Though she still held her stand and lived her life her way, she was a constant target of Bhavani’s taunt and mockery. 

He had looked forward to his retirement, to make up on the lost time and spent the remaining years of his life with his family. Initially, it had all been pleasant, till he started seeing through things, and Bhavani’s overpowering stature started to cast over him. It started with small arguments where his decisions were overruled by Bhavani, and gradually it turned to more consequential issues. Nagesh realized that he didn’t have any authority when it came to family or business matters and the respect he held all these years as the head of the family was now merely namesake. His own brothers, who had never dared to disobey him, would not think twice before disregarding him to follow Bhavani’s decisions. The entire family was controlled by Bhavani and no one dared to oppose her. Ashwini, would sometimes try to talk to him, as she understood his state, but there was nothing that she could possibly do to help. Shivani had tried to support her dada on various occasions, but her arguments fell short and outnumbered against Bhavani. He found solace in the company of the children..now adults! Virat and Samrat were very fond of their Bade Kaka and Bade Mama. They would spend most of their spare time with him. Nagesh was fond of writing poetry and his retirement had given him the opportunity to reestablish that passion. All the Chavan juniors loved to hear him recite his poetry. Virat and Samrat had a special relationship, who would do anything for each other, and rarely ever fought, while Mohit being the youngest was tricked and pampered by them. Virat had cleared his IPS and was now an ACP, while Samrat had treaded into his father’s footsteps and joined the army. Samrat was a fun loving, prankster, who could light up any dull moment. He just loved life and having lost his father at the tender age of 10, he found the father figure in his bade mama. Virat, only 2 years younger to him, had been his confidante ever since he had come to stay with them. They had been inseparable since then. Samrat got married a year ago to Patralekha. She was Bhavani’s choice, but Nagesh had seen hope through her. Patralekha was a well-educated girl and her upbringing seemed to be perfect blend of traditional values and modern culture. He had liked her for her calmness and yet the ability to speak her mind. For him she seemed to be the perfect match for Samrat and the DIL the Chavan family needed at this juncture. But his hopes were soon squatted when he saw another Bhavani shaping up in Patralekha. She was an obedient DIL to Bhavani, but her nature demanded the authority from others just like her. Nagesh saw his relationship being mirrored in the form of Samrat & Patralekha. Samrat was madly in love in Patralekha and with him being away on his postings, he only saw, history repeat itself. And he hated the very possibility of it and felt helpless that there was nothing he could do to change the future. Virat on the other hand, was more reserved and shyer by nature. He was extremely polite, and rarely expressed himself. Samrat was his voice. And it was Virat, that Nagesh was more worried for. Samrat could easily express himself, whereas Virat was more closed, and it was difficult for anyone to know what was going through his mind. He would sacrifice his own wishes with a smile on his face and no one would ever know. Nagesh dreaded his fate if he ended up with a clone of Patralekha.  Mohit being the youngest was expected to take up the family business, but he had developed his interest in theatre, for which he was constantly criticized. 

With all the crumbling, the final nail in his relationship with Bhavani, which changed things forever between them was when Devyani became the target. His daughter, his only child Devyani! She was adored by her brothers and with her father by his side, she could have won any battle. But unfortunately, when she needed them the most, they were either not present or were rendered powerless! Devyani had been partial to Virat, because of his soft nature, she was more like Samrat in her ways. Happy and fun loving, who believed in enjoying life to the fullest. She also carried the trait of speaking her brain from her Shivani Bua. And being the only child Bhavani rarely chided her, until it all happened. She had fallen in love with someone from her college and she faced strong resistance from the family when her affair was exposed. Bhavani had locked her up and restricted her movements outside the house. She was livid upon knowing that Devyani was having an affair behind her back and her lover was an orphan who struggled to make both ends meet. Bhavani could not tolerate such a scandal in the family and hence forbade her from meeting him and cut all ties with him. Samrat and Virat were away on their posting and training respectively. Devyani had pleaded to every single person in the family, but no one dared to defy Bhavani. The distressed state of his daughter had forced Nagesh to beg Bhavani to let her live her life her way. But Bhavani had been adamant and threatened to kill herself if anyone went against her and supported Devyani. Nagesh was torn between his love for his daughter and wife. And his deliberation had cost him his daughter. If only he had taken the stand earlier, she would not have ended up in this state. The father in him had won, and he had decided to take a stand for his daughter, but when he unlocked the room, he was left stunned. He found his Devyani, unconscious, having slit her wrist in her attempt to commit suicide. But what followed was worse. She was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors managed to save her life, but the emotional trauma caused took a toll on her mental health and her instability reflected in her bahaviour as a kid. Nagesh lost his will to live that day. Despite his accomplished career, he considered himself a failure. Everytime he looked at Devyani, his eyes would well up and he would curse himself for her state. It was this grief and guilt, that triggered his failing health and resulted in a cardiac arrest. 

Nagesh had always taken pride in his family, a unity rare in this age and he had credited his wife for it, till a few years back. But now he knew the shallowness and the cracks that was invisible to the outsiders. All these years, he had dedicated to his service, he had sacrificed his precious time with his family. But he had never regretted it, as he felt that he had them in safe hands…until it was too late! 

In contrast to him, Sai only had her father, yet her life was complete and happy, something which eluded him despite having such a huge family. He realized that it was not just about the number of people, but the love and respect that brings in fulfillment in a family. Despite having only, her “Aaba”, she was blessed. But it also had to do with her character and upbringing. She was a lively girl, who found happiness in everything and loved and lived life to the best. She cared for people around her and went out of her to anyone who crossed her path selflessly. Nagesh was impressed with her! Well, that was an understatement.

Having confided in her, he had felt lighter, but it was how she countered and perceived his situation that gave him hope. Sai was the one to made him realize, that everyone makes mistakes, but rather than giving up, one should strive to correct those mistakes. She encouraged him to go against Bhavani and take over the responsibility of his daughter. While she helped with her contacts, she urged him to look out for renowned doctors and actively work towards Devyani’s recovery. It was her words that gave him the courage to finally stand up for his daughter, his family! To finally stand up against that force.. his wife Bhavani. To bring back the Nagesh Chavan who was strong and brave and had the criminals fear his name!

Chapter 2 - Heartbeats 

[MEMBERSONLY]